The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to Congress leader P Chidambaram in INX Media money laundering case. The top court granted bail to the senior Congress leader on a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh with two surety of like amount.
The court directed Chidambaram not to leave the country without prior permission of the court.
The top court also restrained Chidambaram from giving press interviews or making statements with regard to the case.
The apex court set aside Delhi High Court's November 15 verdict dismissing bail plea of Chidambaram.
A bench headed by Justice R Banumathi had on November 28 had reserved judgement on the appeal filed by Chidambaram who had challenged the November 15 verdict of the Delhi High Court denying him bail in the case.
During the arguments, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had claimed in the apex court that the 74-year-old former finance minister continues to wield "substantial influence" on crucial witnesses in the case even from the custody, while he said that the agency cannot "destroy" his career and reputation by making baseless allegations.
Chidambaram was first arrested by the CBI on August 21 in the INX Media corruption case and was granted bail by the top court on October 22.
The ED had arrested him on October 16 in the money laundering case.
The CBI registered its case on May 15, 2017, alleging irregularities in a FIPB clearance granted to the INX Media group for receiving overseas funds of Rs 305 crore in 2007, during Chidambaram's tenure as finance minister.
Thereafter, the ED had lodged a money-laundering case.
